Why St. Paul Corner Drug Loses Money Filling Prescriptions (opens original article in a new tab)

St. Paul Corner Drug faces financial losses from prescription filling and has shifted focus to vaccines for profitability, while offering cost-plus payment options for some customers.

• Approximately 61% of independent Minnesota pharmacies have closed in the past decade
• St. Paul Corner Drug stopped accepting new prescription customers due to financial losses
• Pharmacy benefit managers reimburse independent pharmacies less than the cost of prescriptions
• Vaccine administration provides a financial cushion for St. Paul Corner Drug
• Uninsured customers can use a cost-plus payment option for medications